Wearing her cap and gown, Megan Sugg stood at her mother's bedside Thursday, in an unofficial ceremony, as her high school principal gave a graduation speech and presented the student with her certificate.

"I was happy my mom got to see, but at the same time it was hard," Sugg told the Maryland Gazette.

Sugg's mother, Darlene, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2010 at the age of 44. She went into remission for about a year, the Gazette reported, but the cancer spread to her liver and as her condition worsened the family was informed she wouldn't live to attend Megan's June 10 graduation.

"I thought she might be able to make it, but the last couple days she went downhill pretty quick," said Megan's father Steve.